Empire BlueCross BlueShield Associates Commit Over $1 Million to Community Organizations in 2008
announced that its employees committed more than
organizations through its 2008 Associate Giving Campaign. This amount is the
result of personal giving by associates with a 50 percent match from the
WellPoint Foundation, Inc.
“In this difficult economy, our community and health services
organizations are especially in need of help,” said
CEO of Empire BlueCross BlueShield. “We surpassed all our expectations for
this year’s campaign and the generosity of our associates highlights a
compassion and commitment to supporting the communities where they live and
work.”
In addition to the support provided directly by its associates, in 2008
Empire BlueCross BlueShield reached out to many diverse community
organizations to bring health improvement messages to local boroughs and
communities in a more effective manner. This included working with local
schools on health, wellness and exercise programs, community health centers
familiar with populations at greater risk, and partnering with various
established city and state initiatives already underway.
“The success of this campaign complements other efforts like our ‘Mighty
Milers’ program with the New York Road Runners Foundation (NYRRF), a program
that partners with local schools to teach children the value of incorporating
physical activity into their everyday routine as part of a healthy lifestyle,”
added Wagar. “It’s another example of our commitment to ensuring underserved
populations receive the attention and education they need to attain good
health and well being.”
Nationwide, associates of WellPoint, Empire’s parent company, pledged more
than
WellPoint Foundation will raise that total to more than
WellPoint Foundation, together with its state subsidiary foundations, is one
of the nation’s largest corporate foundations with net assets of nearly
million
“Through the efforts of our foundations across the country we can help
address local health concerns,” said Caroline ‘Caz’ Matthews, president of the
WellPoint Foundation. “But we go beyond simply providing dollars by giving of
our time through our national Community Service Day, where associates
volunteer in our communities to have an even greater impact. In the end, our
focus allows us to have a measurable and sustainable impact on critical health
care needs in the communities we serve.”
More information about Empire BlueCross BlueShield can be found at
www.empireblue.com .
About Empire BlueCross BlueShield
Empire BlueCross BlueShield (Empire) is the trade name of Empire
HealthChoice Assurance, Inc., and Empire BlueCross BlueShield HMO is the trade
name of Empire HealthChoice HMO, Inc., independent licensees of the BlueCross
BlueShield Association, serving residents and businesses in the 28 eastern and
southeastern counties of
largest health insurer in
subsidiary of WellPoint, Inc. Additional information about Empire is available
at www.empireblue.com .
SOURCE Empire BlueCross BlueShield